Draymond Green sets tone as Warriors beat Lakers to stay alive - ESPN

SAN FRANCISCO — Draymond Green was not going to let the Golden State Warriors' season end Wednesday night. It was his goal to set the tone for his team.

Ahead of Game 5 against the Los Angeles Lakers, Warriors player development coach Jacob Rubin had told Green his presence hadn't been felt so far this series the way it should be. Not the way Rubin knew it could be.

«That's coming out aggressive on both ends of the floor. That's verbally so everyone hears you on the floor. I felt a little disrespected when he said it,» Green said. «I knew it was on me to come out and set the tone for our guys.… Season is on the line, backs against the wall. You got to come out and give it all you got. That was my mindset.»

Green came out as Golden State's engine in the Warriors' 121-106 win.

He finished with 20 points on 7-of-11 shooting, 10 rebounds and three steals. This was his second 20-point game this postseason, along with Game 5 against the Sacramento Kings in the first round. It's the first time since 2017 that Green has had multiple 20-point games in a postseason. Before the playoffs, he hadn't scored 20 points since Christmas Day in 2019.

«I think you just expect it in a situation like this where you're facing elimination,» Warriors coach Steve Kerr said. «Draymond is one of the great competitors I've ever been around. So you just expect him to bring it. I didn't say anything to him. He doesn't need any pep talks from me, that's for sure.»

Green's first play of the game was a defensive foul on Anthony Davis — a sign the Warriors took as the aggression and physicality he's been playing with on that end of the floor. Then, on the next possession, Green hit a 3-pointer, the Warriors' first points of the night. That let them know